What I Really Needed – Thank You

We are doing this together, friends. Knowing you’re listening and it speaks to you — gives me courage to do this new thing, as I felt small. Your words let me know this is a journey shared. And then, I didn’t feel so small anymore.

My desire is to have unscripted conversations live with guests on the show. It’s scary not knowing where exactly the conversation leads while recording, but I truly believe the best conversations are the ones we don’t plan for, don’t you think?

What motivates me is knowing we can take a Coffee Break For Your Soul together, pause for a moment and swap stories on this journey.

Please spread the news with your family and friends. Thanks for your support!

Listen To The Show

Show Notes

Coffee Break For Your Soul Podcast.

Coffee Break For Your Soul Podcast is real conversation and stories brewed fresh about everyday things we long and care about — to live a soul-inspired life. I’ll share encouragement for your soul. Your journey and your story. For you.

7 Comments

Hi Bonnie, appreciated your podcast with Claire. The part of carving out space for creative play really clicked with me. It’s so true that play just comes naturally to children. As natural as breathing or using their imaginations. The creative side (writing, poetry, etc.) that was such a part of me in my 20’s and 30’s, was kind of absent from my life. Maybe told myself without really realizing it that play seemed frivolous as an adult? Over the past few months, God has been rekindling a child-like desire for play. Yesterday, I completed a watercolor painting and even took out my crayons and did some coloring. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Kindred, hope that you are also carving out some space to do some fun, creative things. 🙂 We’re headed up to see family soon, so I wanted to wish you, your hubby, and boys a very Merry Christmas. xox

thank you, veronica! and if you’re on instagram or FB, tag me with #SpiritualWhitespace – I’d love to see your painting, if you’d like to share. 🙂 keep kindling that desire to create… it’s an unspoken prayer. Merry Christmas to you too. may there be unexpected moments tucked in the quiet and unplanned. 🙂

Bonnie, I am loving the podcasts. Thank you! I very much identify with what you said about there being a list maker in me and then the other me longs for, and sometimes gives over chunks of time to, the free spirit in me. It is a desire to do what I feel inspired to do in the moment. This conversation with Claire spoke to my heart and reiterated some of the areas of my life where God has been freeing me up to enjoy the little things. Recently some of the little things that have given me joy, and the free spirit in me an opportunity to play, has been to make the time to do those things I want to do for others that give them joy. For example: writing a friend a letter, making and sending peanut brittle to my family. These are things I sometimes wait until a special occassion or don’t do at all. Writing has been an important joy-giver for me, as well as learning to journal creatively (adding art). Merry Christmas. Keep up the good work He has called you to; it is a blessing!

hi julie! it’s great to hear the conversation spoke to your heart — echoing what God’s been prompting you to enjoy. the letter & peanut brittle are those little things that money can’t buy and worth so much to the person receiving it, as he/she stops to enjoy. what you create and enjoy in spiritual whitespace blesses someone else with a spiritual whitespace moment as they enjoy it! don’t wait. 😉 love hearing about your journey. Merry Christmas!

Loved this topic! Since I am keeping this Christmas simple, I chose not to do much decorating, besides, my stuff is in storage. Instead, I cut evergreen limbs and made a garland swag for my fireplace mantle, using floral wire, pine cones, and homespun ornaments I bought at the dollar store. It was fun and creative! I wanted a small nativity, but so far I haven’t found one that suits me as I have to be budget conscious. I am having fun scouring the thrift stores, so holding out hope I’ll find one soon!

I have had to distance myself from my dysfunctional family in order to stay mentally healthy and maintain my own peace. This makes me sad, but I tried to resolve the issues to no avail. I will continue to pray through the situation and for them as well. It is so difficult when others cannot see how their unhealthy behaviors affect the ones who love them. As a child, I too, was beset with much anxiety. I am the oldest of six children born to teenage parents and it seems I never really had a childhood. I escaped into books, taking long walks through the woods and fields in the country area I grew up in. I still love doing these things, but now I go with camera in hand! I also loved spending the weekends with my grandparents in town, where I had their undivided attention and got to attend church. I was the only one of us six kids that ever wanted to go, and my parents never went. I am grateful that Jesus is teaching me to come to Him as a child, and in doing so, I am learning to be child-like in the process…learning to “play.” Thank you for sharing this journey and encouragement! Merry Christmas!

it sounds like you are being very present with Christmas this year. and doing what prompts your heart. child-like joy. 😉 it’s good that you’re taking care of yourself during this season. and having relational courage as you experience God’s peace. Merry Christmas, Diane!

I was so excited to be able to listen to this. I am a podcast fanatic because I love gleaning words of wisdom while folding laundry!! (harder to read a blog while you do that haha..) As I am hearing the conversation between you and Claire, it’s like I felt I had God’s okay to do the things that were really deep in my heart for a long time, but felt like I had to put off due to “other duties.” I really liked the part where you said on the retreats you offer, people don’t really know what to say when you ask them what they would do with a couple hours of free time. That was really eye opening and kinda makes one think; about how driven we are in this society…that maybe it is not such a bad thing to slow down and actually be able to enjoy life, which is such a precious gift! And by the way, I have the two sides of me as well. The Meghan who wants to get up go and accomplish, but the other Meghan who knows she better spend some still, quiet time with God and her journal. It truly effects the way I “am” with my kids and others, when I am living out of that overflow from being with my Father. I am excited and look forward to hearing what you have next. Prayers!

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Pull up a chair. Refresh your soul. Be inspired with soul care, stories & encouragement here. Breathe. This is a quiet space to swap some stories. Share your journey. Be the beloved. Be you. Serving up shots of faith for everyday life.

Bonnie Gray

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"“If the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, Whispers of Rest is a map to that peace uninhibited.”
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